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May 23, 2009

G43: Mets 3, Red Sox 2

Josh Beckett took another huge step towards reasserting himself as the ace of the Red Sox staff. Although it was his own error -- on a pickoff attempt -- that helped the Mets score in the first, it's still considered unearned. (8-5-1-1-5, 117).

Boston returned fire in the home half, as Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia both singled (18-game hit streak for Lyndon!), then pulled off a double steal. After David Ortiz struck out, Kevin Youkilis lined a two-run single to left.

Both starters settled down after that and we had a nifty duel. Pelfrey ended up going seven innings (7-6-2-1-6, 111) and Beckett set down 12 in a row at one point, from the first to the fifth. He also got out of a sticky 1st/3rd, one out jam in the seventh, getting a strike out and liner to center.

Jonathan Papelbon walked Gary Sheffield on five pitches to start the ninth, but roared back to overpower and strike out David Wright and Jeremy Reed, both swinging. But then Omir Santos then drove the first pitch he saw -- 97 fastball right over the plate, maybe a little high -- off the small ledge on the Wall for a two-run home run, though umpire Joe West had to go look at some video before the actual call was made.

Down a run, Youkilis walked to start the home ninth and was forced by Jason Bay. That was a tough play for the Sox, as Wright made a nice backhand to get the ball, then Luis Castillo saved an errant throw at second while still recording the out. J.D. Drew lined out to right and Mike Lowell grounded to shortstop. Lowell's ball was deep in the hole and anyone else on the roster would have beaten it out. But alas.

The Yankees walked off with a 5-4 win over the Phillies and the Blue Jays lost to Atlanta 4-3.

Pelfrey balked three times in his last start, against the Giants last Saturday. Afterwards, he spoke with a sports psychologist who has helped him in the past:

The mind is pretty powerful, and it controls all your muscles and all those things. So if it happens, then I'll be able to -- in my own little way -- I'll be able to tell my mind what I want to do, and hopefully, all the muscles and everything follow that.

Mets manager Jerry Manuel:

That's the way you try to solve things. If he said, "I don't have an issue" and continued to do that, then we've got a problem.

In seven starts, Pelfrey has pitched 41 innings, allowing 46 hits and 17 walks, while striking out only 11.

eck was talking about luis castillo and a long hit streak he once had. thought it was 40 -- then he said 35 games. someone from the truck telling him, then as an afterthought, cause the guy was probably still feeding him stuff, he said that.

LAROCKS wrote:It looks like this may be your last year for a while to make the playoffs. You do not have a decent SS, your ace Beckett is average at best and your team is old. Varitek, Lowell, Papi, Wakefield, Smoltz am I forgeting anybody? Plus I heard rumors that the Yanks are pursing Bay becasue they lost Nady. I guess Bay is unhappy with what took place in the offseason. The Rays just put Kazmir on the dL and Their closer is retiring. They bring up that stud Price and they have plenty of talent to trade and/or develope within the organization. Of course Kazmir will be back. What a young talented team that seems to be getting better and better. Now it is not just the Yanks you have to deal with anymore, maybe a tougher opponent in years to come the Rays. I have also heard that the Rays are going to build a new stadium in Orlando because of the bigger fan base. Wow, Rays and Magic, now thats an exciting sports town. You guys better get trading.5/23/2009 4:17:01 PM